About the Book
Title: John Bloom and the Garden of Victory | Author: Leigh Shearin | Publication Date: October 27, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 195 | Recommended Ages: 9+My Review
John Bloom and the Victory Garden is an imaginative story about John Bloom and his gang of friends. Readers will enjoy the adventures the friends share in their small town during the days leading up to and following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I was drawn to reading this book because my grandfather fought in World War II and often spoke of Victory Gardens. It is evident from reading this book that the characters in the story reflect individuals from the author's real life by the way the character development is done with such love. Because the story begins in December though, the characters do not actually get to planting the victory garden in this first book. This fact, if i am perfectly honest, was a bit of a disappointment for me as a reader. I kept reading with the expectation the story would develop into one about growing a victory garden; however it felt as though this book was really just an introduction for future stories to come. From that perspective, the story was charming, as long as it was viewed as the first in a series of books. The dialogue reflects that of a child living in the 1940's era, and it will be entertaining to a child of today's culture to envision the simplistic nature of kids lives back then. I look forward to reading part two of this book and hearing all about growing the victory garden.
Disclosure: * I was given this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: * I was given this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)
Contest ends: January 3, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open: Internationally
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Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Leah Shearin and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.
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will be found under the tree. It is a bit more grown-up than other book themed cookbooks that we have received in the past, but it is intended to be a special book to share with my oldest, whose love for Roald Dahl prompted me to start this blog.
. They are both fabulous.
is a game that sparks the imagination by rolling the dice and telling a story about the pictures on the dice. I think this would be a great game to have around for car rides, camping trips, or an icebreaker at a party. 
as a young girl. What I love most about this book, having recently reread it, is that her conversations with God are so honest and realistic for a 12 year old girl. They range from a superficial plea to develop breasts all the way to questions about faith and religion. And it is that brutal honesty of Margaret's desire "fit in" or be normal makes the book a refreshing read, even 44 years after it's publication date!
